Tom Ford Beauty

[helen-rox]

It's not just Tom Fords name that sells the product. 80% of his range is well worth the price and I am a makeup artist. His brushes are also exceptional quality

 

[Spike413]

I am in love with the packaging. I especially want to purchase a couple of the lipsticks, nail lacquer and blush! But they are a little out of my budget..

I'd say if there's a piece that you really love, go for it, but given the prices (the quality is great, but the prices can be scary) I'd go for something really special, something you love that you wouldn't just wear everyday. It's the same as buying expensive clothing or shoes.

Besides, if it makes you feel great, it's worth it.

 

[RoseFreckles]

what's the name of the dark skin model in the video where Tom is talking?
Big thanks if you could help me with her name! =)

 

[RoseFreckles]

This is the model I am talking about !

www.facebook.com/pages/Ciro-My-Life-Starring-Me

 

[RoseFreckles]

Can anyone id the TF cosmetics products that Lakshmi Menon in wearing in Post 24# Thank you so much for the help in before hand =)

 

[tigerrouge]

Short mention of this season's collection, and product shots of the lip and nail lacquers (temptalia.com

Tom Ford Beauty – Spring 2012 Collection

For Spring 2012, TOM FORD introduces a collection of smoldering, molten-toned color inspired by the beauty of a radiant, bronzed face. “I have always loved the look of tanned, glowing skin, whether it is achieved with bronzing powder or with a natural tan,” says Ford. Designed to achieve the look of sensuous, warm radiance, this limited edition collection has the ability to create a spectrum of high definition effects: eyes are given depth with alluring, glistening metals, lips are glossed with a gold-bullion sheen, nails are lacquered with captivating, metallic shades. A woman can enhance her natural glow, accent an existing tan, or create a complete, color-charged look of liquid-metallic seduction.

Cream Color for Eyes ($40.00)

A new introduction, the TOM FORD CREAM COLOR FOR EYES delivers four pure and luminous, metallic shades—Platinum, golden Guilt, burnished red Illicit, and shimmering Spice—with an ultra-smooth, non-creasing and long-wearing finish. Its highly reflective, ultra-pigmented formula combines advanced color technology with antioxidant-rich ingredients.

• Platinum Silver (Limited Edition)
• Guilt Gold (Limited Edition)
• Illicit Burnished red (Limited Edition)
• Spice Shimmer (Limited Edition)

Lip Lacquer ($30.00)

• Gold Dust Clear, lustrous gold (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($30.00)

• Silver Smoke Silver (Limited Edition)
• Gold Haze Gold (Limited Edition)
• Burnished Rouge Red (Limited Edition)
• Burnt Topaz Copper (Limited Edition)

 

[tigerrouge]

A review of one of the 'cream colors' (temptalia.com

Tom Ford Platinum Cream Color ($40.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with subtle, warm red undertones. There is an ever-so-slight hint of gray that makes it almost taupe when it’s not sheered out, but it kept looking brown, brown, brown on me. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, because it’s called Platinum and the online “swatch” shows it as more of a pewter-like hue. Even in the pot, it looks more taupe-brown. But here’s the thing: it does seem to go on less brown on the lids–it does look a little closer to platinum, but it is one finicky shade to photograph. So to that end, all of the possible dupes are browner. It appears that the silver sheen comes out when there’s a lot of light; as I sat in my office with just a floor lamp on, it looked decidedly brown-taupe. This is the sign of a complex shade, I suppose.

To me, it seemed like this color was more dupe-able than not. I had so many shades pulled up to compare this to. Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo is very similar, perhaps less red-toned. Bobbi Brown Champagne Truffle is more metallic but similar in color to the sheered out swatch. MAC Aloha is a little grayer. Buxom Mutt is similar to the sheered out swatch, though less warm. Urban Decay YDK is similar but a hint redder. MAC Buckwheat is darker, less shimmered. Urban Decay Wreckage is grayer. MAC Sable is richer, deeper. Urban Decay Toasted is similar to the heavier swatch, no gray tint.

Tom Ford describes the formula as “highly reflective,” “ultra-pigmented”, “non-creasing”, and “long-wearing.” Boy, I had some mixed emotions when I tested these. First, PR had already informed that these were nearly sold out in-stores, which lit some fuel under my butt to test it ASAP. The spring collection just launched on both Saks and Neiman Marcus, though, and everything appears to be in-stock, so not to fear if you’ve been looking for a way to blow $40. Second, as soon as I opened the pot and saw the consistency that awaited me, I was like, “This is going to be a big ol’ mess!” Looks are, thankfully, extremely deceiving!

Platinum delivers good results overall, though it does crease faintly after eight hours of wear without a base. It’s not smudge- or budge-proof–if you press your fingertip against your eyelid, you’ll see a fair amount of product transfer. I didn’t experience any fading, fall out, or migration while wearing this shade yesterday (ten hours in total). The consistency is a lightweight cream, almost more like a mousse because of its airy quality, that spreads and smooths out easily and evenly. From recent memory, the texture reminded me of a lighter, more airy version of MAC’s Big Bounce eyeshadows (you can see why I was wary!).

I used MAC’s 242 brush, which is a firm, flat bristled brush, to apply it to my eyelids, and I had no problem getting an opaque layer of color in one go. If you want a sheerer look, I’d recommend dabbing on very little and then blending. I figured I’d go crazy and opt to apply a good layer of it, as it was described as “ultra-pigmented.” I really thought it was going to crease right then and there, but it dries down quickly but remains smudgeable around the edges, since it is not smudge-proof.

What’s hard to see in photos is the soft, luminous side of the shade. It plays with the light in a subtle way that’s both dazzling and sophisticated. This is not glitter, and it’s not even a frost. I’d like to coin the phrase “satin metallic,” because I feel like that’s the most apt description of the finish here. Platinum was really lovely all on its lonesome, not as a wash, but as a full-color coverage product, just taken above the crease and blended out. It’s packaged in a screw-top glass jar and holds a little more than the average cream eyeshadow does. I’m a little surprised to see that the TF logo is a sticker pressed on top. At first, I thought it was just a clear sticker over the actual TF, but I peeled it all the way off and the entire thing came off.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm torn--there's a part of me that's still chafing at the price tag. For a cream eyeshadow? Really? What? And then another part of me that knows this is Tom Ford, this is luxury, and that is really the point. Thankfully, it performs fairly well, and it is extremely well-pigmented. The texture is what will sell it, though, because it's so smooth.

 

[helen-rox]

I do have to add that the cream shadows are rich in antioxidants and are much more gentle on the lid then most cream shadows that dry down completely. So it's almost like wearing an eye cream. I guess this is part of the price point

 

[tigerrouge]

I love the way Christine's reviews of Tom Ford are so lengthy, because it reflects the continuous argument about whether they're really worth it (temptalia.com

Tom Ford Cobalt Rush Eye Color Quad ($75.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a cool-toned, blue-themed palette. Tom Ford released eight different quad variations, and within the range, there are four finishes. There is sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer, and matte. He describes the formula as having “incredible shade fidelity” and “outstanding adhesion.”

Tom Ford has done many things right, and if you go through past reviews, it’s obvious that I’m a fan of the brand. I don’t like the eyeshadow quads. I’ve only tried two, and this is the better one of the two, but it’s just so-so. It leaves me feeling lukewarm. In an ideal world, you’d get what you paid for, but this is an industry where price rarely correlates to quality–there’s just the hope that, if you’re going to shell out $75 for an eyeshadow palette, that you’re going to get really, really good results. Right? There are so many winning eyeshadow formulas for under $25.

Cobalt Rush contains four hues, and this palette seems to have both satin and shimmer finishes, but it does not contain any sheer sparkle or matte finishes. I wish the shades would be labeled with the finish, but they’re not, so I’m merely guessing. The first shade is a pale, icy white with a shimmery finish. It appears to have fall out without a base, but it still has some minor fall out with a primer after several hours. It’s similar to MAC Pearl is similar in both color and texture, while Buxom Sheepdog is similar in color but not in texture. MAC Forgery is not quite as icy.

The next shade is a darkened purple with blue undertones and a shimmery sheen. It has just so-so pigmentation–you can see it looks a little dry and faded. MAC Starless Night is much more intense, but it has a similar vibe. MAC Indigo Noir is matte and much, much deeper. Estee Lauder Untamed Violet is less silvered, more purple.

The third shade in the quad is a medium-dark blue with a satiny sheen. It had good pigmentation and applied smoothly, but the color itself is likely one of the most common shades of blue on the market. MAC Love Cycle is a richer, more intense blue. Bare Escentuals Climax is just slightly purpler but barely. Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit is a bit darker. Le Metier de Beaute Lapis is brighter. Wet ‘n’ Wild Earth Looks Small From Down Here is slightly purple-tinted. MAC Deep Truth is slightly bluer. Inglot #428 is brighter. Make Up For Ever #81 is a touch darker.

The final shade is a blackened blue-teal with hints of green and blue shimmer in a satiny finish. It has good color payoff, but it’s a bit dry. Make Up For Ever #60 is deeper, more intense, and has no shimmer. MAC Prussian is bluer. MAC Blue Spruce is grayer. Guerlain Les Aquas is very similar but slightly less blue, but Guerlain Les Gris has a shade that’s just a little bluer.

Color payoff is just average to good–the only shade I would expect to have sheerness is the “sheer sparkle” finish, which there are none of here, so these four shades have no excuse but to have “incredible shade fidelity,” which I can only imagine is marketing-speak for color trueness or true-to-pan color. These do not adhere to the lid well without a base, and even with a base, some of them are more prone to fading than others. When applied without a primer, I see a paltry four hours of wear before there’s noticeable fading, and after six hours, there’s minor creasing. Without a primer, I don’t see creasing, but there is noticeable fading after six hours.

The white and purple shades were the least pigmented, while the blue was the most, followed by the blackened blue/teal. I was surprised that the textures didn’t feel as buttery, creamy, or as finely-milled as some other luxury brands’ eyeshadows are (like Le Metier de Beaute). It’s soft, and it applies fairly smooth, but it has a drier consistency that seems to make it less blendable than I’d like. I’ve sat on this review for awhile, because I keep alternating between testing this quad and another one, having been unimpressed by both, while I kept reading rave reviews. I can’t say I’ve had the same experience no matter what technique, base, or combination of shades I used–so maybe I’m just the odd one out. In fact, had this been the only Tom Ford product I had ever tried, I think I’d be put-off enough to stay away. I tried and tried, but I couldn’t find any enthusiasm for this. It’s not terrible quality, but it’s not excellent quality (more like average), and it has to be at this price tag for me to be excited about it, let alone impressed. There’s just no excuse not to.

I suppose the highlight of the palette is that it comes with 0.35 oz. of product, which is 0.0875 oz. per shade, compared to the average brand at 0.05 oz. But realistically, you’ll have to weigh whether investment or per-use cost is more important to you. The idea that “you’ll never run out” is great in theory, but how close do you even get on 0.05 oz. of product? If you do finish products, sure, but if you have a larger stash, it may be a less compelling argument. It’s always good to see more rather less, though!

It’s packaged in the shimmery bronzed plastic compact that the rest of the line is in. The palette itself is actually very lightweight, which is great for traveling, but those looking for the heft of a luxury compact will find it missing here. It has a full-sized mirror underneath the lid and comes with two dual-ended brushes (that are about as useless as they often are; just slightly softer and the sponge stays in place better).

FINAL THOUGHTS
I tried and tried, but I couldn't find any enthusiasm for this. It's not terrible quality, but it's not excellent quality, and it has to be at this price tag for me to be excited about it, let alone impressed. There's just no excuse not to.

 

[tigerrouge]

A $45 lipgloss... (temptalia.com

Tom Ford Sugar Pink Ultra Shine Lipgloss ($45.00 for 0.24 fl. oz.) is a light-medium pink with yellow undertones and a creamy finish. It’s mostly opaque in color coverage, but there is some translucency. The closest dupe I could come up with is Bobbi Brown Pink Sorbet, which is also a yellow-toned pink, though it reads a little beige-like compared to Sugar Pink, and it has shimmer. MAC Curvaceous is plummier. What makes it harder to dupe is the amount of color coverage it has–a lot of glosses are sheer to semi-sheer.

This formula is supposed to have a high-shine finish with good color payoff. The texture is very smooth and slick; it slides onto lips easily with a slight tackiness (but not what I would describe as a full-on sticky gloss). There is some settling into lip lines, which is less noticeable from a normal viewing distance but visible upclose. It has a sweet vanilla scent but no discernible taste. It’s neither drying nor overly hydrating, though I would err on the side of slightly moisturizing. It’s comfortable wear while it lasts, which in Sugar Pink’s case was three and a half hours. The glossy finish does stick around for most of the time, which is longer than some other glosses.

FINAL THOUGHTS
It's a good gloss, but it's not the best gloss on the market. It's nice to see that it lives up to most of its claims--it has a nice texture and the color payoff is pretty good. There is some unevenness in application and settling into lip lines.

 

[tigerrouge]

A look at a nail colour (same source

Tom Ford Burnt Topaz Nail Lacquer ($30.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is a warm bronze with orange undertones and threads of metallic copper shimmer. It’s mostly opaque after two coats. China Glaze Mahogany Magic has a similar undertone but looks rather different otherwise. NARS King Kong is much redder. China Glaze Goin’ My Way is a bit darker.

There was a tendency for it to pull a bit, which I suspect is due partially to the longer drying time. Not much longer than average to me, but the formula is less forgiving if you’re trying to get your swatches done! Because it has a metallic finish, brush strokes are definitely present and noticeable, though they’re subtler than you’ll typically find in this type of finish. The formula wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it applied decently, but it could have gone on a bit smoother. It also did this weird thing where it seemed to recede from the edge of the tips of my nails.

I wore this shade to test wear (I’ve tested the wear of the cream finishes, but not of the metallic ones), and it lasted seven days without any chipping and had minor tip wear–just keep in mind that I can’t remember the last formula that did chip on me other than matte polish.

FINAL THOUGHTS
It's a so-so formula, but the color is pretty and if you're a fan of metallic finishes and prefer less brush strokes, you may find it worth dealing with. At this price point, I'd expect a better formula and more color coverage at two coats.

 

[tigerrouge]

New for Spring 2013 (makeup4all.com

Tom Ford is launching a new range of lip products - Lip Color Shines.

They will come in ten shades and are promised to be tinted lip balms.

 

[Gábor]

^I will definitely try those. Thanks for posting.

 

[Juliette]

I want the Black Orchid lipstick so badly.

 

[Gábor]

Any news on the S/S collection?

 

[Gábor]

This summer Ford sticks to what he knows best with a line of illuminating bronze products. “I wanted to capture a very particular look of skin that is bathed in sunset light in the summer,” said Ford. “It is a sultry and sublime glow. In this light, every woman looks irresistibly relaxed and sensual.”

The Summer 2013 collection boasts a liquid skin illuminator ($65), bronzy cheek color sticks ($58), creamy eye colors ($40), a lustrous rose gold lip lacquer ($30), and an icy nail varnish ($30) and will be available in May at Tom Ford counters at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus.

elle.com

 

[tigerrouge]

A look at the autumn collection (temptalia.com

Tom Ford Beauty Fall 2013 Color Collection & Private Blend Atelier d’Orient Collection

“A monochromatic play of three contrasting textures creates dynamic dimension for eyes.” —Tom Ford

Tom Ford focuses on the art of the seductive eye with his fall 2013 color collection. At the Heart of the collection is the limited edition ombré eye color trio of monochromatic shades That uses light and depth to create a dynamic contrast. A n innovative, dual-ended liquid Liner enhances the look, adding sophisticated and provocative definition.

Ombre Eye Color Trio Palette ($60.00) (Limited Edition)

Two new ombré eye color trio palettes masterfully shade and contour the eyes with an extraordinary play of contrast and light. The in the pink trio comes in three sensual pink shades and textures for a contoured nude look: pink rose, pink champagne, and ballet slipper pink.

• The Pink Pink rose, pink champagne, ballet slipper pink
• She Wolf Deep black/brown, light charcoal, silver lead

Eye Defining Pencil Pen ($55.00)

The intuitive Tom Ford Eye Defining Pencil Pen features a fine calligraphy tip on one end and a pro brush on the other for the ultimate in precision lining. The deep carbon black liquid liner delivers a spectrum of effects from sleek lines to dramatic wing tips or a full doe eye.

Tom Ford Eye Primer Duo ($50.00)

The Tom Ford Eye Primer is a unique duo of powder and cream formulas that work with the shadows to deliver fifteen-hour, color-rich staying power. The stackable package holds a cream base formula containing the exclusive infusion complex, and a translucent pressed powder that ensures your eye color will stay fresh all day.

Ultra Length Mascara ($42.00)

The Tom Ford Ultra Length Mascara in Ultra Raven heightens the eye impact with carbon-black color and extra-long extension.

Lip Color ($49.00)

Four Tom Ford Lip Colors offer a choice of sensuous neutrals or decadent bolds. Rare and exotic ingredients including soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil create an ultra-creamy texture with an incredibly smooth application. Specially treated color pigments are blended to deliver pure color with just the right balance of luminosity for a polished finish.

• Vanilla Suede Beige (Permanent, Repromote)
• Sable Smoke Rosy beige (Permanent, Repromote)
• Crimson Noir Red (Permanent, Repromote)
• Bruised Plum Plum (Permanent, Repromote)

Nail Lacquer ($32.00)

• Show Me the Pink Pink (Limited Edition)
• Black Sugar Plum (Limited Edition)

Black Orchid Hydrating Emulsion ($55.00)

A luxurious satin-like body lotion that provides a sensual glide to the touch. Smoothes and moisturizes while leaving skin feeling silky and supple. Lightly scented with the intoxicating fragrance of Tom Ford Black Orchid.

 

[tigerrouge]

And a set of scents (temptalia.com

Private Blend Atelier d’Orient Collection

Tom Ford presents Atelier d’Orient, a collection of four private blend fragrances inspired by the sublime beauty, enigmatic sensuality and exquisite luxury of Asia. Each scent tells his richly imagined olfactory story about Asia by using ingredients that have treasured prestige in the orient, from voluptuous florals and precious fruits to aromatic spices and rare oils. In Atelier d’Orient, prized ingredients from the ancient silk and spice routes are crafted into unexpected new architectures as beautiful and daring as the region’s mesmerizing, modern cities.

$210.00 for 50ml/1.7 fl. oz. EDP; $520.00 for 250ml/8.4 oz. EDP

Plum Japonais

Plum Japonais reveals the extraordinary beauty of the ume plum by juxtaposing it with a lush and unconventional mélange of exotic Asian ingredients. Plum Japonais is a rich and luxurious fragrance for true scent connoisseurs.

Saffron, cinnamon bark Laos, everlasting flower and sawara cypress create an unforgettable journey across distant lands. The voyage unfolds from India to Laos and then to China and Japan, where the tart, dark nuances of ume plum are discovered. This breathtaking ingredient becomes infused with velvety plum liqueur, beguiling camellia Japonica flowers and rare agarbois, casting an irresistible spell of ravishing beauty—before the journey ventures into a warm and sensual terrain of amber, benzoin Laos, fir balsam absolute, vanilla absolute and infusion.

Fleur de Chine

Fleur de Chine is an unequivocally romantic and haunting, floral fragrance that is touched with reverence for the great fragrances of the past. It evokes an atmosphere of sophisticated restraint that evolves slowly into rich grandeur.

Precious Asian flowers, including the Hualan flower and star magnolia, are arranged in a bouquet of rare beauty. Their romance is enhanced with the elegant texture of fresh clementine and bergamot, blended with the soft, green effects of hyacinth. Sublime eastern treasures—jasmine tea, syringa, plum and tea rose balanced with wisteria, white peach and soft tree peony—whisper a story of insatiable longing. This medley of sophistication and sublimity keeps the fragrance blooming with presence. Yet the richness of Hinoki wood, Chinese cedarwood, amber, rare benzoin Laos, styrax and vetiver tempers the beauty with captivating seduction, adding an aura of glamorous mystique.

Shanghai Lily

Shanghai Lily is a floral oriental scent that transports the senses into a world of rare and opulent ingredients from the historic silk road and spice route.

Bitter orange, pink peppercorn and rich black pepper blend with the warm richness of clove. Jasmine, rose and tuberose, combined with the very contemporary addition of vetiver and luxurious cashmeran, create a sensual coupling of spices and florals. The golden treasures of benzoin Laos, castoreum, cistus labdanum and guaiacwood are touched with addicting vanilla and captivating frankincense, creating a hazy reverie of glamour and temptation.

Rive d’Ambre

Rive d’Ambre is a golden-toned eau de cologne with a veil of colonial elegance. Precious citrus fruits—a talisman of good fortune in Asia—are beautifully illuminated by a warm and seductive, amber background.

Exquisite citrus fruits—bergamot, lemon and bitter orange oils—dance together with refreshing and refined light, surrounded by the uplifting textures of tarragon, cardamom and Moroccan spearmint oil. The bergamot weaves itself into these contrasting ingredients with aromatic splendor; in an unexpected twist, this citrus gift is cradled by the rich and seductive warmth o rare benzoin Laos melded with a beautiful, pear wood accord. A decadent pour of cognac oil touched with tolu balsam enhances the golden aura, which is made even more fascinating with the addition of addictive amber.

Availability: September 2013

 

[KhaoticKharma]

I'd say if there's a piece that you really love, go for it, but given the prices (the quality is great, but the prices can be scary) I'd go for something really special, something you love that you wouldn't just wear everyday. It's the same as buying expensive clothing or shoes.

Besides, if it makes you feel great, it's worth it.

Shoot, if I ever buy any Tom Ford cosmetics, you better believe I'll be wearing it every. single. day. I'm gonna get my money's worth!

 

[tigerrouge]

A new fragrance collection (chicprofile.com

I have wanted to revisit Oud for years; it is one of the most endlessly fascinating ingredients in a perfumer’s palette. For this collection, I explored how Oud could intertwine with other precious ingredients from the rich and storied culture and artisanal traditions of the Middle East. - Tom Ford

The Private Blend Oud collection is an olfactive journey that explores three mesmerizing and sensual facets of oud. Two new oud fragrances join the best-selling fragrance, private blend oud wood, a groundbreaking composition of exotic woods and spices that is hailed as a definitive interpretation of oud.

The new fragrances, Private Blend Oud Fleur and Private Blend Tobacco Oud, share the signature elements of the original Oud Wood—oud, sandalwood and patchouli—then follow two unique and contrasting directions. They give Tom Ford another opportunity to show his mastery of this rare and precious ingredient. The collection of three oud fragrances also features three bath and body products that offer sumptuous new ways to wear this unforgettable note, creating a complete world of oud within Tom Ford Private Blend. Oud Wood body moisturizer, Oud Wood shower gel and OudWood bath soap are perfumed with the original Oud Wood fragrance.

Availability

Now at Nordstrom and online @nordstrom.com

Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Collection

Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum Decanter – New – $520.00 for 250 ml/ 8.4 fl oz

Private Blend Oud Wood captures the most sophisticated, precious and highly regarded materials in the Middle East. Rich, elegant oud is paired with smoky birch tar and cistus heart, which impart a sultry, smoky effect reminiscent of burnt incense lingering in the air, further enhancing the fragrance’s depth and sensuality. Adding a perception of warmth and intrigue, notes of patchouli absolute are used as cedarwood atlas creates a sense of animalic depth, leaving an intoxicating trail.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum

Available as 50 ml/ 1.7 fl oz for $210.00 and 100 ml/ 3.4 fl oz for $290.00.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Shower Gel – $65.00 for 250 ml/ 8.4 fl oz

The rare, exotic scent of Oud Wood by Tom Ford features a blend of exotic rosewood, cardamom, oud wood, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean and amber. The rich, lathering shower gel cleanses and conditions your skin leaving you clean, fresh and delicately scented.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Body Moisturizer – $65.00 for 150 ml/ 5 fl oz

The body moisturizer features a rich, creamy formula that soothes and hydrates the skin.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Bar Soap – $35.00

The creamy, lathering bar soap cleanses your skin while leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

Tom Ford Tobacco Oud Eau de Parfum – $210.00 for 50 ml/ 1.7 fl oz

Private Blend Tobacco Oud explores a secret history of addictive Arabic passions—crafting fragrances from precious oud wood resin and smoking aromatic tobacco. It intertwines mesmerizing oud with an idealized tobacco accord inspired by “dokha,” a blend of herbs, flowers and spice-laden tobacco that was smoked in secret five centuries ago during a ban on smoking— and retains its allure as a widely used tobacco today. Dried quickly in the desert sun, and then mixed with herbs, spices, bark, and dried flowers, Dokha delivers its rush in a potent, dizzying hit. Like a proper Dokha, private blend tobacco oud imparts an extremely smooth, warm blend of woodsy notes for a heady buzz; and then a warm exhale of spicy heat. Fine tobacco dust absolute is intertwined with coriander seed oil to achieve this spice-laden touch.

Roasted tonka organic absolute soaks the tobacco with a warm, addictive pulse of coumarin while streaks of sandalwood bring out mellow, lactonic tones. A seductive amber note is accomplished with high dosages of cistus oil from spain and cistus absolute—an indigenous Mediterranean plant also known as labdanum or rockrose—that contributes leathery-ambery, textural tones.

Tom Ford Oud Fleur Eau de Parfum – $210.00 for 50 ml/ 1.7 fl oz

Private Blend Oud Fleur explores the mystique of oud in all its dimensions, including the aspect of prestige and age. It is crafted from a slowly perfected vision of Oud Wood that has been developed over twenty years by harmonizing the finest aspects of many variations.

The Oud Wood core is streaked with additional woody notes to amplify its effects: patchouli for cool earthy tones; sandalwood for warmth; incense for smoky mystery, and styrax, cistus and leather accord for added texture and presence. Ambergris and castoreum lend a wild warmth and mellow ambery comfort.

A complex rose dimension evokes the middle east’s legendary damascus rose. A blend of Rose Bulgaria Orpur®, Rose Absolute Morocco, and Rose Absolute Turkey Orpur® creates a brocade effect that weaves fresh petal, lush nectar and spicy stem-like signatures together. This floral heart is enhanced with Ginger CO2, Cardamom Seed Oil Orpur®, Cinnamon Bark Laos Orpur®, and Pimento Berry; these cool and fiery spice accents awaken the senses. A touch of Geranium Egypt Orpur® lends a peppery-green flourish as tagette, osmanthus, davana oil and date accord lend a beautifully mellowed effect which enhances the sensation of a precious fragrance crafted from superbly well-aged materials.